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IRS Computers Prone To Hackers?

The Treasury Department has reported a distinct weakness to the security surrounding the IRS computer systems. Unlike the problems found with other databases, this one is human.

The Treasury Department conducted a study to see if IRS employees could be duped when it came to computer security. Treasury Department inspectors called IRS employees posing as computer technicians. The inspectors told the employees that they were trying to fix a computer network program. They then asked for the login and passwords used by the employees. More than one-third of the agents provided the information.

The IRS has rules in place that prohibit employees from divulging passwords. Despite these rules, employees gave several reasons for providing the information. Some said they were not suspicious of foul play while others wanted to be helpful to the technicians. Other employees asked for and were given approval by their managers.

The taxpayer database maintained by the IRS contains incredibly valuable information. Imagine what a hacker would do with social security numbers, addresses and business EIN numbers.

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